Four Days in June

Description

A remarkable debut novel, 'Four Days in June' is an imaginative but accurate reconstruction of five men - all real figures - five points of view, and four days of one of the world's most famous battles. Four days in June, 1815. Five men, three armies, on the fields of Waterloo. A battle for honour, glory, civilisation. And two great leaders, Napoleon and Wellington, in direct confrontation for the first time, to take their nations to victory. General De Lancey, Wellington's new Quartermaster-General, recently married and yearning for his beautiful wife. Colonel MacDonnell, a Scot who must hold his post to the last man. General Ziethen of the Prussian army, distrustful of the British but vital to their cause. Marshall Ney, mistrusted by Napoleon but revered by the French soldiers. And Napoleon, who must prove his worth as a great warrior for the glory of France. As the battle develops over the four days, it is seen through the very different positions and characters of the front men. From the eve of the battle to its bloody conclusion, there is defiance, desperation and great courage on both sides. Iain Gale, in his first novel, draws the scene, the devastation, the stench of war, with such vitality that, though the outcome is known, the tension of war comes vividly to life.

Iain Gale has always had a life-long passion for military history. He is the Editor of the National Trust for Scotland magazine and Art critic for Scotland on Sunday. He lives outside Edinburgh with his wife and children.

'A powerful novel of men at war. A triumph.' Bernard Cornwell 'A debut novel to treasure!brilliantly evoking the horrors and excitements of war' Publishing News 'A treat for every history buff, and a vivid picture of men at war.' Scotland on Sunday 'Thoroughly researched.' Financial Times 'Knife edge realism mingles with strategy, glory and tragedy in Gale's artistic narrative.' Oxford Times 'Iain Gale is quite simply a genius.' 'C. Bones', Amazon reader 'An enthralling read! Let's have more from this author!' 'Cromwell Oliver', Amazon reader 'This book was recommended to me and even though I don't normally read military histories it had me gripped from the first few pages!!If you want a totally engrossing read then I couldn't recommend this book more highly.' Fay Anderson, Amazon reader